Facebook's Latest Move & Holiday Planning (Yes, Seriously): TPR Weekly Download 5.15.15

Start Planning for the Holidays Now

Since 26% of shoppers are predicted to start their holiday research before Halloween, retail brands should begin developing holiday strategies now to adequately prepare for a successful busy season. Google suggests reading up on last year’s holiday trends and insights before outlining your 2015 strategy.

Facebook Launches Instant Articles

Facebook is rolling out "instant articles" from publishers like the New York Times and National Geographic. The new program natively hosts publishers’ content in the News Feed so users don’t have to click out of Facebook mobile and wait for websites to load. The new world of Facebook native content is a major step in the network’s quest to become a news destination.

Periscope Released to Non-Twitter Users

Twitter is separating Periscope from its core social network by letting people sign up with phone numbers rather than Twitter accounts. This update allows the live-streaming service to expand its reach beyond Twitter's limited sphere.

The Future of Wearables in Travel

Skift explores how wearable devices can enhance a traveler’s journey from start to finish, which brands are leading the way in wearable technology and what travel brands should know before incorporating the new trend into the larger consumer strategy.